By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
Some 120 South Korean diplomats will gather in Seoul this week for an annual conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Sunday.
This year's meeting, which will open today and continue until Friday, will focus on ways to promote President Lee Myung-bak's New Asia Initiative, which is aimed at embracing underdeveloped Asian neighbors through economic cooperation programs, and to ensure a thorough preparation for the G-20 Summit slated for November in Seoul.
Also on the agenda are inter-Korean relations, the government's efforts to improve Korea's image abroad, the country's bids to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the planned overseas absentee voting, the ministry said.
"The workshop will be an opportunity for Korean diplomats overseas to share and develop key policies on strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with countries around the world, especially Asian and African nations," said Ahn Ho-young, a ministry official.
"We will also organize meetings with the diplomats and entrepreneurs to help Korean firms expand overseas sales and develop more export markets."
The participants will meet with Prime Minister Chung Un-chan Monday, visit the Ministry of National Defense Tuesday and hold a workshop with business leaders Wednesday.
On Thursday, they will visit the National Intelligence Service to discuss the prospects for inter-Korean relations and the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program. They are scheduled to attend a reception hosted by National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o Friday.